Those who had obtained entire ascendency over the mind of Constantius,
and influenced him as they pleased, reminded him that Athanasius had
been the cause of the differences between his brother and himself,
which had nearly led to the rupture of the bonds of nature, and the
kindling of a civil war. Constantius was induced by these
representations not only to banish, but also to condemn the holy
Athanasius to death; and he accordingly despatched Sebastianus506506 Probably Syrianus, who is described by Athanasius himself
as sent to get him removed from Alexandria, but as denying that he had
the written authority of Constantius. This was in Jan. a.d. 356., a military commander, with a very large body
of soldiery to slay him, as if he had been a criminal. How the one led
the attack and the other escaped will be best told in the words of him
who so suffered and was so wonderfully saved.

Thus Athanasius writes in his
Apology for his Flight:—“Let the circumstances of my
retreat be investigated, and the testimony of the opposite faction be
collected; for Arians accompanied the soldiers, as well for the purpose
of spurring them on, as of pointing me out to those who did not know
me. If they are not touched with sympathy at the tale I tell, at least
let them listen in the silence of shame. It was night, and some of the
people were keeping vigil, for a communion507507σύναξις. Cf. p. 52 note. was
expected. A body of soldiers suddenly advanced upon them, consisting of
a general508508 Syrianus. Ath. Ap. ad Const. §25. and five thousand armed men with
naked swords, bows and arrows, and clubs, as I have already stated. The
general surrounded the church, posting his men in close order, that
those within might be prevented from going out. I deemed that I ought
not in such a time of confusion to leave the people, but that I ought
rather to be the first to meet the danger; so I sat down on my throne
and desired the deacon to read a psalm, and the people to respond,
‘For His mercy endureth for ever.’ Then I bade them all
return to their own houses. But now the general with the soldiery
forced his way into the church, and surrounded the sanctuary in order
to arrest me. The clergy and the laity who had remained clamorously
besought me to withdraw. This I firmly refused to do until all the
others had retreated. I rose, had a prayer offered, and directed all
the people to retire. ‘It is better,’ said I, ‘for me
to meet the danger alone, than for any of you 75to be hurt.’ When the
greater number of the people had left the church, and just as the rest
were following, the monks and some of the clergy who had remained came
up and drew me out. And so, may the truth be my witness, the Lord
leading and protecting me, we passed through the midst of the soldiers,
some of whom were stationed around the sanctuary, and others marching
about the church. Thus I went out unperceived, and fervently thanked
God that I had not abandoned the people, but that after they had been
sent away in safety, I had been enabled to escape from the hands of
those who sought my life509509 Ath.
Ap. de fug. §24..”

506 Probably Syrianus, who is described by Athanasius himself
as sent to get him removed from Alexandria, but as denying that he had
the written authority of Constantius. This was in Jan. a.d. 356.